Updated: Jul 22, 2026
A Texas DWI can result in substantial fines, jail time, the loss of your driver’s license, and required alcohol or drug education. Understanding Texas DWI laws, Texas DWI Education requirements, and the programs available for repeat offenders can help you take the next steps toward satisfying your court or license-related obligations.
Texas uses the term DWI, or Driving While Intoxicated, for offenses involving impaired driving. Depending on your case and prior record, you may be required to complete either a standard Texas DWI Education program or a more intensive Texas DWI Intervention program for repeat offenders.
Under Texas law, a person commits a DWI offense when that person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place.
A driver is considered legally intoxicated when the driver has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. However, a BAC of 0.08% is not required for a DWI charge. A person may also be considered intoxicated when alcohol, drugs, controlled substances, or a combination of substances causes the person to lose the normal use of their mental or physical abilities.
Texas has a zero-tolerance law for drivers under age 21. It is illegal for a person under 21 to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system.
The standard Texas DWI Education program is designed primarily for people convicted of a first DWI offense. The standardized program is 12 hours in length and focuses on the relationship between alcohol, drugs, impairment, and driving behavior.
The course helps participants:
Course topics commonly include alcohol and drug traffic-safety problems, the effects of substances on the body, chemical dependency, available sources of assistance, the costs associated with a DWI, and strategies for reducing the risk of another offense.
People with multiple DWI offenses may be ordered to complete a more intensive Texas DWI Intervention program, sometimes called a Texas repeat offender DWI class.
The standardized 32-hour DWI Intervention program is intended for repeat DWI offenders and other individuals whose alcohol- or drug-related problems require more extensive intervention than the first-offender DWI Education program provides.
The repeat offender program examines substance-use patterns, personal responsibility, high-risk situations, decision-making, relapse prevention, and strategies for avoiding future impaired-driving behavior.
Because the 12-hour DWI Education program and the 32-hour DWI Intervention program serve different purposes, it is important to enroll in the course length specified in your court order, probation paperwork, or licensing instructions.
Texas DWI penalties become more severe with each additional conviction.
These amounts do not include additional Texas state fines that may be assessed at sentencing. Depending on the circumstances, an additional state fine of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 may apply.
Driving while intoxicated with a passenger younger than 15 is a separate and more serious offense in Texas. A person convicted of DWI with a child passenger may face:
Under Texas law, DWI with a child passenger is classified as a state jail felony.
A first DWI is generally a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum confinement period of 72 hours. The minimum confinement period increases to six days when the driver had an open container of alcohol in their immediate possession.
A DWI involving an alcohol concentration of 0.15% or higher may be charged as a Class A misdemeanor. Prior DWI convictions, injuries, fatalities, and other aggravating circumstances can also lead to enhanced penalties.
If you have been permitted to complete your DWI education online, our Texas alcohol and DWI course offers a convenient way to meet your assigned educational requirement.
The program is available entirely online, allowing you to work from a computer, tablet, or phone. You can begin immediately, complete the material at your own pace, and log in and out as often as necessary.
We offer online options for both Texas DWI Education and repeat offender DWI intervention education. Our courses are affordable, easy to use, and backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may need to provide proof of financial responsibility before your Texas driver’s license can be reinstated. This is commonly completed by having an insurance provider file an SR-22 certificate on your behalf.
An SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy. It is a certificate showing that you maintain the liability coverage required by the state. The length of time the filing must remain active depends on your case and the requirements imposed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
| Class | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Hour DWI Education Class | $199.00 | Register Now |
| 12 Hour Spanish DWI Education Class | $199.00 | Register Now |
| Class | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| 32 Hour DWI Intervention Class | $349.00 | Register Now |
| 32 Hour Spanish DWI Intervention Class | $349.00 | Register Now |